Environmental radiofrequency radiation at the Järntorget Square in Stockholm Old Town, Sweden in May, 2018 compared with results on brain and heart tumour risks in rats exposed to 1.8 GHz base station environmental emissions

Abstract

Radiofrequency (RF) radiation in the frequency range 30 kHz to 300 GHz was evaluated in 2011 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) at WHO to be a 'possible human carcinogen' Group 2B. The conclusion was based on human epidemiological studies on an increased risk of glioma and acoustic neuroma. In previous measurement studies, we found high environmental RF radiation levels at certain public places and also in an apartment in Stockholm, Sweden. One such place was the Järntorget square in the Stockholm Old Town. The EME Spy exposimeter was used for these studies. We have now conducted a field spatial distribution measurement with a radiofrequency broadband analyser. The maximum E-field topped at 11.6 V/m at the centre of the square, where the antenna was focused. Järntorget's mean value was 5.2 V/m, median 5.0 V/m, range 1.2-11.6 V/m. Of interest is that this level can be compared to a lifespan carcinogenicity study on rats exposed to 1.8 GHz GSM environmental radiation performed at the Ramazzini Institute (RI) in Italy. A statistically significant increase in the incidence of malignant schwannoma in the heart was found in male rats at the highest dose, 50 V/m. In treated female rats at the highest dose, the incidence of malignant glial tumours was increased, although this was not statistically significant. On the whole, the findings of this study showed that RF radiation levels at one square, Järntorget, in Sweden, were only one order of magnitude lower than those showing an increased incidence of tumours in the RI animal study. An increased cancer risk cannot be excluded for those working in the proximity of Järntorget for longer time periods.

Radiofrequency radiation from nearby mobile phone base stations‑a case comparison of one low and one high exposure apartment

“…We have previously reported results from our measurements of RF radiation levels at certain places in Stockholm, Sweden such as at the Central Railway station (5), the Old Town (6), and in the City (7). High radiation was measured at a square, Järntorget, in the Old Town as further displayed in a recent publication displaying RF E-field distribution (8). Most of the radiation was downlink.…”

“…They also noted that power density can vary by >50 dB (100,000 times) over a driving distance of 10 km, which supports the finding in our study-high RF exposure is not required to have a good mobile telephony service reception. Note that these measurements do not represent current RF radiation due to the rapid increase of deployment of the wireless communication (8).…”

[Comment] Health risks from radiofrequency radiation, including 5G, should be assessed by experts with no conflicts of interest

“…The authors of the present article recommend an educational campaign to educate the public about the health risks of RF radiation exposure, and safe use of the technology, such as the deployment of wired internet in schools ( 85 ), as previously recommended by the European Council resolution 1815 in 2011 ( 86 ) and The EMF Scientist Appeal ( 87 ). Additionally, it is recommended that the government takes steps to markedly decrease the current exposure of the public to RF radiation, ( 88 , 89 ). Notably, DNA damage has been identified in peripheral blood lymphocytes using the comet assay technique, and in buccal cells using the micronucleus assay, in individuals exposed to RF radiation from base stations ( 90 ).…”